Title Details

American Society for Healthcare Central Services Professionals (ASHCSP), a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association, Chicago, IL, was founded in 1968 and currently serving nearly 1,000 members nationwide. ASHCSP is the principal connection for central services and sterile processing, providing quality services, publications and information designed to help professionals excel in the field and reach their maximum potential. Its members include managers and technicians who are either directly involved in or responsible for sterile processing and supply distribution.

Foreword to the Fifth Edition xi

Foreword to the Fourth Edition xiii

Foreword to the Third Edition xvii

Foreword to the Second Edition xix

Foreword to the First Edition xxiii

1 Introduction to Central Service 2

Educational Objectives 2

Organizational Structure 3

Objectives and Functions 4

Major Areas in Central Service 5

Ethics 9

Safety 10

Personal Cleanliness 14

Continuous Quality Improvement 14

Rules and Regulations 15

Communication 19

Summary 21

2 Human Anatomy and Physiology 22

Educational Objectives 22

Cell Biology 23

The Skeletal System 25

The Muscular System 27

The Nervous System 28

The Circulatory System 30

The Respiratory System 34

The Digestive System 35

The Urinary System 39

The Reproductive System 41

The Endocrine System 42

The Sensory System 44

Summary 47

3 Microbiology and Infection Control 48

Educational Objectives 48

Basic Microbiology 49

Disease Transmission 55

Disease Prevention 58

Nosocomial Infections and Cross-Contamination 59

Disinfection Principles 62

Sterilization Principles 63

Isolation 65

Summary 65

4 Decontamination 66

Educational Objectives 66

Collection and Transport of Used Supplies and Equipment 67

Decontamination Area 69

Standard Precautions 70

Detergents and Cleaning Agents 76

Disinfectants 77

Cleaning and Processing Equipment 82

Cleaning, Disinfection, and Preparation Procedures 91

Summary 101

5 Instrumentation 102

Educational Objectives 102

Handheld Surgical Instruments 104

Powered Instruments 111

Endoscopic Instruments 112

Summary 115

6 Preparation and Packaging for Sterilization 116

Educational Objectives 116

Preparation of Instruments 117

Pack Construction 121

Basin Set Preparation 123

Miscellaneous Preparation 125

Principles of Packaging 125

Types of Packaging Materials 128

Wrapping Techniques 129

Pouches 134

Containerized Packaging 135

Labeling Packages 140

Shelf Life 140

Summary 141

7 Sterilization 142

Educational Objectives 142

Factors Affecting Sterilization 143

Monitoring the Sterilization Process 144

Steam Sterilization 152

EtO Sterilization 163

Dry-Heat Sterilization 169

Liquid Chemical Sterilization 171

Gas Plasma Sterilization 174

Ozone Sterilization 175

Summary 177

8 Sterile Storage 178

Educational Objectives 178

Maintaining Product Sterility 179

Stock Arrangement, Rotation, and Shelf Life 185

Summary 187

9 Distribution 188

Educational Objectives 188

Types of Distribution Systems 189

Delivery Methods and Equipment 194

Distribution Work Practices 195

Summary 197

10 Inventory Control 198

Educational Objectives 198

Measuring Inventory Performance 199

Managing Inventory 200

Summary 205

Appendix A: Central Service Terminology 207

Appendix B: Medical Terminology for Central Service Department Employees 249

Appendix C: Symbols Used by Device Manufacturers 263

Bibliography 267